The bye week could not have come at a better time for the Hawkeyes, as the squad has suffered multiple key injuries at key positions during the first five games of the season.
Starting quarterback Mark Gronowski and week two starting running back Terrell Washington Jr. were added to the injury report following the Week Five loss to Indiana, joining a handful of other players sidelined by injuries.
During the coordinators' press conference during the bye week, offensive coordinator Tim Lester could not provide an update on Gronowski, but did state that starting wide receiver Reece Vander Zee is "close" to a return.